Group violence against subgroups grows from frustrated basic human needs seeking fulfillment

Evidence

Severe, persistent difficulties of life frustrate powerful needs, basic human needs that demand fulfillment. Certain “predisposing” characteristics of the culture and social organization tend to further intensify these needs (Staub, 1989a, 1996, 1999b). These include needs for security, for a positive identity, for effectiveness and control over important events in one’s life, for positive connections to other people, and for a meaningful understanding of the world or comprehension of reality. Psychological processes in individuals and social processes in groups can arise that turn the group against others as they offer destructive fulfillment of these needs. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 79

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Persistent societal life problems trigger dominant groups turning against subgroups — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 78; Psychological needs can outweigh material ones in guiding action during life crises — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 82; Group violence arises from interacting cultural, situational, and motivational influences, not single causes — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 174 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Individual frustrations produce personal blame; group frustrations produce outgroup blame. #corroborates (0.85) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1578
• Individual frustrations target persons while shared frustrations target groups. #expands (0.82) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1578
• Individual and collective violence operate through separate psychological mechanisms #qualifies (0.78) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 382
• Frustrated aggression toward authority gets redirected onto marginalized groups #exemplifies (0.75) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 562